Reader: Leaders care more about businesses than residents

Leaders care more about businesses than residents

Whenever Wilmington searches its wallet for the means to pay incentives to and ordain generous tax breaks for Buccini Pollin Group, we always find a way. When the right people need our tax dollars to subsidize their investments, we don’t put up much of a fuss. We do the deal.

Earlier this week, a group of city residents attended a public meeting regarding planned improvements to the I-95 corridor which slashes through the heart of the city. Many came to Trinity Episcopal Church from adjacent neighborhoods like Cool Springs and Trinity Vicinity.

They asked what considerations were made for the neighborhoods. Most notably, they asked about a cap or roof over the superhighway, as has been done in other cities across the country.

These designs have multiple benefits. Parks can be built over the traffic. Bicycle and pedestrian paths would solve a real problem of safety for those of us who ride or walk.

State bridge engineer Jason Hastings replied to these comments by admitting that, while other places have utilized designs like this the create green areas or newly developed land, “for Wilmington, such a project would cost more money than is allocated and it would take long-term, coordinated plan.”

Make note, folks. When BPG wants to build a basketball arena near Southbridge just outside the city limits, we make it happen. Lickity-split.

But Improving these neighborhoods and making some steps to address the historical disaster of Interstate 95 is too costly and difficult.

—R.E. Vanella, Wilmington

Wake up to dangers of Second Amendment

Wake up, America! From murdering kids in their schools to African Americans in their church, from murdering folks in movie theaters to Jews in their synagogues, to mailing bombs to political opponents. This is the news, and it's not fake.

Do we have to succumb to the insanity of the Second Amendment as it is presently interpreted by the Supreme Court of the United States, and then to each of us then putting ourselves under arms to protect ourselves from this government and its supporters?

Where does it end? A hard question, but with an easily predictable answer: Ask not for whom the bell tolls, for it tolls for you!

—William E. Moore, Rehoboth Beach

A novel approach to foreign aid

Before we cut off money for populations of needy regions that depend on our help, we should consider different delivery methods.

A million dollars in loose $1 bills weighs roughly a ton. If transported six to eight miles into the night skies over remote/poor areas, then quietly feathered out into the jet streams of C-5-airplanes, the cash would be more likely to end up in the hands of regular people instead of private Swiss bank accounts.

For the hundreds of millions of dollars that we dump in the pockets of corrupt leaders, numerous goodwill/public relations sorties could do much more good for us and those in need.

—Don McHugh, Sr., Felton

Amazon is like a cult

In my opinion, Jeff Bezos' Amazon is a cult. I say this as I worked there when it opened in New Castle.

At first, we had to sit on the floor in a circle and say who our idol was, and then repeat what everyone said. I did this, no problem. Then we had to listen to his hard job of starting a bookstore in his garage.

It was summer, no air conditioning; it felt like 100 degrees. His cronies sat in their cool offices. I thought I would faint, standing at a computer on wooden stilts, while the computer geeks sat in rolling chairs at tables.

I had to go to the bathroom, and was admonished by a big youngster for doing so. The cronies called me into their office and said I wasn't fast enough. "Fine," I thought. Worst job I ever had.

So you can keep patronizing this greedy billionaire if you like. Your choice.

I will not.

—Rose Marie Riley, New Castle

SPEAK UP

Send your take to letters@delawareonline.com. All reader-submitted content must include a name, home address and a phone number for verification. Verification does not guarantee publication.

For more information, click here or contact engagement editor Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2428.
You can also join the conversation online at facebook.com/groups/DialogueDelaware.